Trading from the pit...?

[JohnIraq]

Hi Vex,

there are a good many reasons why I am mentally still in Iraq, yes, I'll give you that. I have a great many friends, both Iraqi Nationals and former colleagues who continue to face a great many problems on a daily basis and they are in my thoughts.

Hiding behind a gun? Its difficult to really describe to you how exposed you become when you move around inside Iraq, as a civilian contractor, I had a very specific role to play, and it most certainly was not an 'offensive' one, not even to stand and fight when attacked, we were simply tasked with preserving the lifes of the civilians we were transporting. There is no perception of power when you are facing many more deadly and effective weapons than you have at your disposal and when you so obviously stand out from the crowd , quite the contrary, its a feeling of vulnerability.

As for your last two questions, "would be more than one could comprehend if it was all for naught" and "just why are we there", if you sincerely want to discuss these... once again, I warmly extend the opportunity for you to do so, here, or in private, out of the glare of the public scrutiny if you so wish. They are good questions and I would love to discuss them further with you, but that doesnt mean you tossing oblique thought provoking one liners at me, I would like some thoughtful dialogue, what do you think?

Cheers, J.